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Campbell back where he belongs

In the offseason, Calais Campbell is often in the locker room. He works out and then he hangs out on his stool checking his phone or just chilling out. That is, until recently, when his contract situation kept him away. That’s changed, of course, and Campbell returned to the locker room Tuesday and to working out — just like normal.

“It was kind of weird not being able to work out with the guys,” Campbell said. “Everyone was here and I was home. Sometimes I’d catch up with a couple of them, get some food, but it’s not the same as it is when you are working out and horsing around here. It’s easier (to work out) when you are all struggling together. I definitely wasn’t working out as hard as we do with the John Lott program. It felt good to get back today and get a good workout in and be around the guys. That’s really what I missed the most.”

Campbell chuckled when asked if he felt any different. “I am the same exact guy and I feel the same around my teammates,” he said. “The only difference is now I think people expect me to be more of a leader. And I will be. I am more confident in being more vocal. But the number one thing is lead by example. You work hard, the people around you will work hard.”

Now, Campbell doesn’t have to answer questions about what is going to happen with his future, questions that dominated his interviews most of last season. That’s not bad either.

“I’ve got peace of mind,” Campbell said. “I’ll be here five years. And hopefully we win a lot of games in those five years.”

– Kent Somers ferreted out the details to Campbell’s contract. This year, Campbell’s cap number dropped from $10.7 million to $5 million, clearing significant space (my estimate is the Cards have approximately $8 million of room as of now, although I haven’t been able to confirm it.) Campbell’s salary this year is $2M plus a $15M signing bonus. He has a $10M option bonus in 2013.  His cap number is $8.75M for 2013 with a salary of $3M. (For those who have asked, Darnell Dockett got a $4.55M salary when he re-upped in 2010 with still a couple years left on his contract, plus a $15M option bonus the following year with a $2.35M salary. Campbell’s deal was always going to be bigger both because it is two years later and because he had more leverage.)

James among four tryout players signed

The Cardinals brought in 16 players for tryouts this past rookie minicamp weekend. They decided to keep around four of them, including running back Javarris James. The other three were kicker/punter Ricky Schmitt, safety Eddie Elder and cornerback Larry Parker.

James, of course, is the cousin of former Cardinals running back Edgerrin James. Javarris played in 10 games for the Colts as a rookie in 2010, scoring six touchdowns, but was out of the league last year. With top running backs Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams on the mend from surgeries, the Cards needed another running back for offseason work. It will be interesting if James can perform well enough to make it to training camp.

Schmitt was actually with the Cards as an undrafted rookie back in 2007 before getting cut in training camp. He has since spent time with five other teams, including a pair of stints with the 49ers. Elder, from Arizona State, and Parker, from San Diego State, are both rookies.

The signings bring the Cards’ roster to a total of 89 now, with one spot left to get to 90. Certainly, the roster is not set in stone, and further player possibilities could mean that any of these players — or others already on the roster — could get released before the Cards even get to camp. For players on the fringe of the roster, this is always a fluid situation.

In between workouts, some charity golf

After a year’s hiatus player-wise — because of the lockout — the Cardinals’ veterans were back out at the annual Cards’ charity golf event in the spring, over at Wild Horse Pass. It was toasty as the temperatures heated up, but it seemed like everyone was having fun. There are serious golfers, like coach Ken Whisenhunt and kicker Jay Feely, some middle-of-the-road guys who all seemed to hit good shots when the cameras were around (at least, that’s what they were telling us) and other guys who you should be careful to be around when they are taking a shot (Um, Beanie, about that swing …)

There will be a video up soon and a photo gallery. Daryn Colledge didn’t make a hole-in-one to win the car, but decided to act like it (below). The rookies were in this morning getting the “This-is-how-we-do-things” lecture from John Lott before their first conditioning session, and the veterans who are around return tomorrow. Newly signed Calais Campbell will be a part of that too, and it’ll be back to work.

Rookies wrap up camp

The final rookie minicamp practice of the weekend just ended. As usual, it’s too early to tell much.

“It”s hard,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “Everybody looks good in shorts. You don’t want to get too excited. (At first glance), you like what you see. We had a number of guys look good. Everyone is on the same playing level today. We’ll have a better sense when they go against the veterans. But the first stage of the test, they passed.”

Whisenhunt said there was something missing without veterans, where a coach could grab a vet and have the vet show the newcomer how to execute something. But no veterans also meant more reps for the players who need it most. “It was a new experience with just rookies,” Whisenhunt said. “We’ll judge how productive it was once we get to OTAs and see how they respond.”

As for a final message for the group, Whisenhunt kept it simple. “I thanked them for their effort and their work,” Whisenhunt said. “I think for three days and five practices, we kind of knew what we were doing, so that was impressive. The credit goes to our coaches and the players. … For the guys who are going to be here, (I told them) ‘Be ready to work.’ “

– As Whisenhunt said, the draft class was noticed. Quarterback Ryan Lindley and wide receiver Michael Floyd hooked up on a nice downfield pass Friday, and both clearly looked more comfortable as the weekend went on. Cornerback Jamell Fleming had some impressive pass breakups over the days. Tackle Bobby Massie looks right, but again, so hard to tell how a lineman will really be when it counts. It’s the same for all of them really.

– You’d expect the guys who have already been in the league to stand out at least a little. A couple did, at least from my perspective. Linebacker Quan Sturdivant looked comfortable out there in his first offseason, while new tight end Martell Webb made impressions on a couple of catches, including a nice one-handed grab down the seam Sunday.

– The Cards officially have 85 on the roster. The remaining five spots should be filled before OTAs start a week from Tuesday. Linebacker Clark Haggans and defensive end Vonnie Holliday remain viable options for two of those spots.

– Whisenhunt did offer blanket Happy Mother’s Day wishes to everyone. “When you get into these camps, you can lose sight of the real world, you can forget today is Mother’s Day,” He said. “We were sure to tell the guys, ‘Be sure to call and thank your Mom.’ We wouldn’t be out here if it weren’t for our moms.’ “

On a tryout, another James in the locker room

Javarris James has long admired his uncle cousin, Edgerrin. He followed in Edge”s footsteps when he attended the University of Miami, and did it again when he played in 2010 with the Indianapolis Colts and now — at least potentially — has a chance to follow him with the Arizona Cardinals.

Javarris James is one of 16 players working with the Cards during minicamp on a tryout basis. The Cards could probably use another running back this offseason, with both Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams coming back from leg injuries. He gained 112 yards on 46 carries for the Colts a couple of years ago in 10 games, and even if he were signed would be an incredible longshot to make the roster.

But right now, that’s not what he’s thinking about.

“I feel like I’ve been through worse,” James said. “I’m just happy to have this opportunity. The decision isn’t up to me. I need to study my playbook and execute my assignments, and that’s all I can do.”

Edgerrin James’ time in Arizona ended bittersweet. Edge was benched for a chunk of 2008, although he was the main running back in the playoffs as the Cards made their memorable Super Bowl run. James was then released the following offseason when Wells was drafted. Still, Javarris said “when we have talked, he had nothing bad to say about Arizona.”

Javarris James said it was “kind of crazy” how he has followed Edgerrin to college and then to the Colts and now the Cards. “I’m just happy I have someone like that I can get advice from,” Javarris said. “I just want an oppotunity to showcase my skills and hopefully take advantage.”

– Normally, it’s the undrafted rookie free agents that are on the fringe of the minicamps, and the Cards do have 16 of those. But with 16 tryout players for the rookie-only minicamp, it’s the tryout men who are on the very outskirts. The UDFAs will at least be around this summer. The tryout players could be done after Sunday.

“You can sympathize with what they are going through,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime. A lot of guys don’t ever get this chance. Sure there is nervousness and some worry but I give them credit because they are working hard.”

– Besides James,the other 15 players trying out are: K/P Ricky Schmitt, QB Tyler Lantrip, WR Keenan Burton, K/P Brody McKnight, LB Liko Satele, CB Randall Burden, RB Keola Antolin, S Danyae Coleman, S Eddie Elder, LB Richetti Jones, CB Larry Parker, S Kenji Jackson, DE Everrette Thompson, DE Tom Nardo and DE Tevita Finau.

– The Cards will wrap up the minicamp Sunday morning. The rookies will get a day off — Monday is the Cards’ annual charity golf tournament — and then the players who don’t have to return to school will be part of the offseason conditioning program going forward.

Cards looking for the Quan

The Quan was in the Cardinals’ locker room long before the 2011 draft, thanks to Rod Tidwell and “Jerry Maguire.” But then the Cardinals refreshed their supply last year when they took linebacker Quan Sturdivant in the sixth round of the draft, a prospect for the inside of the 3-4 alignment that seemed promising.

But Sturdivant never was able to make a serious run at the roster. He was put on the practice squad, and while he stuck around there, he was the lone member of the 2011 draft class to not make the opening day roster (running back Ryan Williams was on injured reserve, but would have been on the team) and couldn’t even get a late-season promotion. Now he’s taking part as one of nine veterans at rookie minicamp, trying to get the work he didn’t get with the lost (to lockout) 2011 offseason.

“I know I’m just as young as (the rookies),” Sturdivant said, laughing, “but I do feel kind of old.”

Once the Cards signed Stewart Bradley, the need for Sturdivant wasn’t as urgent given the Cards’ rotation of starters Daryl Washington and Paris Lenon along with Bradley (who struggled himself) on the inside. It may not have mattered. Sturdivant acknowledged he had a tough time and a “big learning curve” trying to figure out the defense of Ray Horton.

It was also hard watching the rest of the draft class make the team without him. Only Williams, because of the injury, and seventh-round receiver DeMarco Sampson didn’t receive significant playing time. Sturdivant’s fellow sixth-round pick, nose tackle David Carter, actually was a key component of the defense as a rookie.

“It was hard, because I have always been able to play,” Sturdivant said. “Even when I was a freshman in college, I played. (Last year) was a learning experience, and hopefully I have learned enough that this year, I can make the team.”

There is a long way to go before that can happen (Sturdivant is also battling key special teamer Reggie Walker at inside linebacker, in addition to the top three guys.) He has embraced the need to be in minicamp this weekend, and came up with an interception in each of the first two practices Friday.

“I just compete and try and get better,” Sturdivant said. “I want to learn the defense even more and compete. That’s all you can do to get a roster spot.

“The defense, I think I am adjusted to it now. To not have an offseason (last year) … this offseason, I think it’ll help a lot.”

Rookies take the field for the first time

One practice in — and with just rookies — it’s impossible to know what will happen with any of them.

“It was interesting,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “The enthusiasm was great, the effort was great. I didn’t know quite what they were doing all the time.”

But it was clear Whisenhunt was enjoying the idea of being back on the field, in a totally teaching aspect, knowing that games are months away. That part of his job was lost last year with the lockout. “It makes you appreciate being on the field again,” Whisenhunt said.

– There is no way to draw any conclusions after one practice. Some of the passes were misfired or dropped, but it wasn’t a shock. Some guys looked a little nervous at first. Bobby Massie, as I noted, looks the part of a tackle. Then again, all the draft picks look the part. They better. They of course have to play the part, and we are a long way from being able to tell that. I’ll have a few photos up later today and we will have a video too (later though; We have Calais Campbell’s press conference with which to deal first.)

– There are nine “veterans” taking part, guys who were already on the team’s roster before the draft. That, Whisenhunt said, is everyone on the roster who is eligible to do so. There are others that wouldn’t mind getting the extra work, Whisenhunt said (and I’m sure the coaches wouldn’t mind it either), but the collective bargaining agreement won’t allow it.

– The only “injury” wasn’t; undrafted rookie cornerback James Nixon had to come out because of dehydration. The learning curve extends beyond the playbook for some. Center Ryan Bartholomew was also sitting out after he “dinged” his knee during conditioning workouts recently, Whisenhunt said.

– The biggest name among the tryout players: running back Javarris James, who played for the Colts and who is the nephew of former Cardinals running  back Edgerrin James.

Massie and looking the part

The first thing that strikes you about Bobby Massie is that he is big but not sloppy. So often rookie offensive linemen come in and they don’t look the part. Not yet. But Massie, who stands 6-foot-6 (scouting assistant Josh Scobey, below, had to use a mini-ladder to measure him yesterday) carries his 316 pounds well. In some ways, he doesn’t look like an offensive lineman, and when I mentioned that to him, he just smiled.

“Everybody always thinks I play D-end, something like that, or tight end,” Massie said. “People always tell me that.”

Now, don’t take this the wrong way — the man is big and no doubt strong, and in a short conversation (Massie is a nice guy but isn’t going to ramble on) mentioned that he is ready to hit people more than a few times. With rookie camp starting in 45 minutes or so, it will be interesting to see Massie out on the field moving around for the first time.

P.S. Go here for a few pictures of the rookie reporting day yesterday. More pictures from today’s work will come later.

Campbell gets his contract

As promised, Calais Campbell has a new long-term contract.

The news just came down that the franchise tagged defensive end and the Cardinals have agreed on a new five-year contract, locking up Campbell through 2016 and making sure one of the anchors of the defense stayed put. Not that Campbell wasn’t going to be around in 2012 anyway, but this puts to rest the teeth-gnashing that Campbell could turn into Karlos Dansby the sequel. Campbell is now in place with a defensive line that saw good rookie progress in nose tackle David Carter, some hope in the play of nose tackle Dan Williams before he was hurt, and veteran Darnell Dockett.

More importantly, Campbell will enter his prime years with the Cardinals. Four years into his career, he played better (as did the whole defense) as the season went along last year. And the deal getting done now means Campbell will be back with his teammates quickly and certainly isn’t going to miss any OTAs or minicamp. The timing worked out well.

The other part of this? The last four players the Cardinals kept saying publicly they would soon be extending — Adrian Wilson, Dockett, Larry Fitzgerald and now Campbell — all got their extensions. Something to remember when analyzing what the team says about future players.

The rookies don’t have to sign yet

There has been a lot of news nationally of late of draft picks signing quickly across the league. Understandably, the question arises whether the Cards will do something soon. But the reality is this: There is no reason, at this point, for rookies to sign. And given the new collective bargaining agreement, it’s not going to matter.

The circumstances provide a two-fold explanation. There has never been a reason for rookies to have signed for offseason work. Other than last season, when there was no offseason, almost every draft pick — and every Cardinal draft pick that I can remember — started offseason minicamp/OTAs without a rookie contract. The players instead sign injury waivers, which basically guarantees a rookie his “normal” contract even if he gets hurt during minicamp or other team work.

(Yes, that’s what we were talking about for those who remember the Wendell Bryant situation in 2002. The team’s No. 1 pick wouldn’t sign the injury waiver because his agent didn’t think the Cards had the right language protecting his player, and Bryant never took part in the summer work. It was repeated the next year with No. 1 picks Calvin Pace and Bryant Johnson. The Cards fixed what they were doing — another step in the way the franchise progressed over the past decade — and it hasn’t been an issue for a long time.)

There will be no issue with the draft picks participating, even though they haven’t scribbled on the dotted line yet.

That brings up the other side of the equation. In years past, the negotiations would have heated up sometime after July 4. The top two or three picks wouldn’t be signed until camp was imminent, or in the case of the top pick, a day or two into camp. Since Bryant — who didn’t sign until September — it’s never made a difference. The rookies never had missed so much to make a difference.

Now, though, because of the new CBA, rookie contracts are slotted and set harder than in years past. The reason guys have signed so fast other places is because there really isn’t much negotiating to do. Because of that, the rookies will sign quicker. Every guy will be signed before camp. There’s no reason to fret right now.